BMW M models from 1971-2019
In this report, I will analyze a data set containing all BMW cars from the M series along with their parameters. These are serially produced cars adapted for racing, rallying, driving on race tracks and at the same time can be driven on public roads. Cars marked with the letter “M” are characterized by powerful engines, advanced chassis, special brakes and aerodynamics, and increased power and performance compared to standard BMW models.
History
The first widely regarded as BMW M in history was the E09 3.0 CSL model. The first specimen was produced in 1971. It was a sports variant of the 3.0 CS model and is known as the “Batmobile” because of its aerodynamic shape and distinctive wings Figure 1. A total of about 1400 units of this model were built, of which about 100 were intended for racing. BMW E09 3.0 CSL won several championship titles in DTM rallies and participated in long-distance races such as 24 Hours of Le Mans, 24 Hours of Spa and 1000 km Nürburgring. Production of the model ended in 1975.
The car had a 3.0-liter aluminum R6 engine with about 200 horsepower. This engine was mated to a 4-speed manual transmission. The car weighed about 1,250 kg which gave it a good power-to-weight ratio Table 1. The BMW E09 3.0 CSL was designed to compete in rallying and track racing. It had a sport suspension, braking system and an aerodynamic body that increased grip and performance. The car was also equipped with ABS and a leather steering wheel.
| Engine | 3.0 L R6 |
| Max horse power | 200 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 210 Nm at 4,500 rpm |
| Drive | RWD |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual or 5-speed manual |
| Max speed | 220 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h | 7.6 s |
| Weight | 1050 kg |
Na szczęście na tym modelu BMW nie poprzestało i kontynuowało produkcje “podkręconych” wersji swoich flagowych modeli. Poniżej znajduje się wykres który przestawia ilość wyprodukowanych samochodów przy zakończeniu produkcji.
Immediately striking are the four tops that are much higher than the others - this means that the most popular models ended production in these years, let’s see what these cars are.
|
Start of production
|
End of Production
|
Produced (pcs.)
|
Model
|
Generation
|
Body
|
Engine capacity (L)
|
Cylinder arrangement
|
Number of cylinders
|
Power (hp)
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2000
|
2006
|
54750
|
M3
|
E46
|
Coupe
|
3.2
|
R
|
6
|
343
|
|
1992
|
1999
|
46881
|
M3
|
E36
|
Coupe
|
3.2
|
R
|
6
|
321
|
|
2007
|
2013
|
39954
|
M3
|
E92
|
Coupe
|
4.0
|
V
|
8
|
420
|
|
2014
|
2018
|
33414
|
M3
|
F80
|
Sedan
|
3.0
|
R
|
6
|
431
|
Here we come to an interesting conclusion, namely, the best-selling cars are those whose base model is the BMW 3 Series, in addition, all cars occupying the podium have a coupe body.
Performance
Let’s see how the variables in our dataset are correlated with each other:
The first fairly obvious conclusion that comes to mind is that as engine capacity increases, Number of cylinders increases. Another thing that can be noticed is that over the years BMW engines become more efficient, as horsepower relative to the year of manufacture increases much faster than engine capacity or number of cylinders.
The capacity, number and arrangement of cylinders are also interestingly correlated, take a look at the next plot.
In both figures you can see the distinct groups that the Cylinder arrangement forms, this represents the principle that engineers who design engines follow, that is - 4- and 6-cylinder engines do not exceed a capacity of 3.8 L and are arranged in a row (R), while larger units are already constructed with 8 cylinders and more and also their arrangement changes into that resembling the letter V.
Now let’s take a look at what engines the different body versions offered. We can see that the sedan and coupe versions dominate the list in terms of the number of available power units, the most we can see in the two-door version at the same time in these cars there is also the greatest diversity when it comes to displacement.
At the ends of the post representing the coupe versions we can see the 6 and 2 liter versions which are not found under the hoods of the other bodies, what are these cars?
One of them is the aforementioned BMW E09 CSL seen on Figure 1 while the only 6-liter engine is embedded under the hood of the BMW M8 E31, which was produced in only one copy as a prototype, the car was meant to be a response to similar models from Porsche and Ferrari, a demonstration of BMW’s technological and production capabilities when it comes to building a sports car.
However, does the fact that a car has the largest engine mean that it is therefore the most powerful? The correlation between power and capacity is quite large, but at the same time it is even more influenced by the period in which the model was produced ?@fig-correlations, and the BMW M8 E31 was produced in 1990. So let’s see the ranking of all cars in terms of power.
Here we see the realization of the correlation of the beginning of production with power - the longer and redder the bar, the greater the power. But on the neck of the juxtaposition one model stands out - the BMW M8 E31 prototype from 1990.
But such a juxtaposition may be unfair, because as time goes by, technology develops and people are able to produce more and more powerful and efficient engines, in which case it is worth looking at how the juxtaposition of the best models in each decade looked like.
Start of production | Model | Generation | Power (hp) |
|---|---|---|---|
1978 | M1 | E26 | 277 |
1971 | CSL | E09 | 200 |
1974 | 2002 Turbo | E20 | 170 |
Start of production | Model | Generation | Power (hp) |
|---|---|---|---|
1988 | M5 | E34 | 340 |
1984 | M 635 CSi | E24 | 290 |
1985 | M5 | E28 | 290 |
Start of production | Model | Generation | Power (hp) |
|---|---|---|---|
1990 | M8 | E31 | 558 |
1998 | M5 | E39 | 400 |
1996 | M Coupe | E36/8 | 325 |
Start of production | Model | Generation | Power (hp) |
|---|---|---|---|
2009 | X5 M | E70 | 555 |
2009 | X6 M | E71 | 555 |
2005 | M5 | E60 | 507 |
Start of production | Model | Generation | Power (hp) |
|---|---|---|---|
2013 | X5 M | F85 | 575 |
2014 | X6 M | F86 | 575 |
2011 | M5 | F10 | 560 |